Portable trench



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M. LGPEZ.

PORTABLE TRENCH. APPLICATION FILED A-UGJ. I920- RENEWED APR. 1, 1922.

Patgriid May 30, 1922.

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INVENTOR ATTORNEY wrmmts Draflsman 3G9. 'iFs'fE, MNK PROTECTEON ANS FiELM ED EEWCESQ EMK 1"fiWtUHUN AND RELATED DEWEESH M. LGPEZ. PORTABLE mm.-

APPLICATIQN HLED AUGJ, 1920. RENEWED APR- 1. I922.

Patented May 30, 1922.

5- SHEET5SHEET 3.

Mlmpez INVENTOR BY 5 ATTORNEY wrmmaa JFTQFKS, EWK FRGTECTION AND RELATED DHIQESQ M. LOPEZ.

PORTABLE TRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJ. 1920. RENEWED APR. 1-, 1922.

Patented May 30, 1922.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESSFS SW53 523N511 WWEWQN AND EELATEB DEVEEES M. LCPEZ.

PORTABLE TRENCH.

APPLICATION HLED AUGJ. I920. RENEWED APR. 1, I922.

Patented May 30, 1922.

5 SHEETS -SHEET 5.

M Lapez MENTOR WITNESSJ UNITED MAB/GIL LGPEZ, 0F ALICE, TEXAS.

PORTABLE TRENGI-I.

Application filed. August 7, 1920, Serial No. 402,011.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARGIL Lornz, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alice, in the county of Jim Wells, and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Portable Trenches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to a guard or protector in warfare.

The improvement is in the nature of a portable trench, and includes a front portion comprising a plurality of yieldable members in the nature of gates, the same comprising a plurality of pivotally supported members which will yield when subjected to force of contact from a bullet or the like, the said projectile, after passing through the gates engaging with a pivoted angle director member which is partly surrounded by a curved deflector member so that the projectile will be returned through the gates without inflicting injury to the soldier or soldiers using the trench.

It is an object of the invention to produce a protector for soldiers which is in the nature of a portable trench and which is provided with means which will yield when contacted by a bullet or other projectile to cause the same to be directed toward the point from which the said projectile has been fired.

It is a further object of the invention to produce a protector, in the nature of a portable trench comprising a frame having pivotally supported anti-frictional elements at the front thereof that constitute a plurality of gates, and which will yield when contacted by a bullet or other projectile, while to the rear of the front is pivoted an angular projectile director member, also constructed of elements and which is designed to direct the projectile against a curved deflector, comprising anti-frictional elements, and which partly surrounds the director member and which, when contacted by the projectile is designed to direct the same through the yieldable front in the direction from which the said projectile has been fired.

It is a still further object of the invention to produce a portable trench having a front which is in the nature of a plurality of gates, being made up of a number of closely associated pivotally supported anti- Patented May 30, 1922.

Renewed April 1, 1922. Serial No. 548,797.

frictional rolls, while to the rear of the front is a pivoted angle frame that carries antifrictional rolls, and to the rear of the said frame is a U-shaped frame also provided with pivoted anti-frictional rolls, the last mentioned frame being pivoted and having a connection with the angle frame whereby when either of the frames are swung one ofthe frames will influence the other to swing the same in an opposite direction from that which the first frame moves, and as a consequence to cause a projectile which passes through the gates at the front over the angle member onto the curved member to be again directed outwardly through the gates, and also as a consequence to effectively protect the user of the device.

It is a still further object of the invention to produce a portable trench in the nature of a substantially rectangular frame having at its front pivotally supported antifrictional rolls that constitute a plurality of gates, while to the rear ofthe front is pivoted an angle director for a projectile that passesthrough the gates and that also includes anti-frictional rolls, while to the rear of said angle director member is pivotally mounted a curved member that includes anti-frictional elements and is designed to receive the projectile from the angle member and redirect the same through the gates, and means being provided between the angle and circular member whereby the force of contact against one of the members will swing the other member, but in an opposite direction to that assumed by the first member, while means is also employed for normally centralizing both of the members, and in addition to this means is provided for protecting the pivots of all the members.

The foregoing objects, and others which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and operative arrangement of parts such as is illus trated by the drawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the portable trench when the same is arranged in operated position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the trench. Figure 3 is a front elevation.

Figure 4 is a sectional view approximately l=-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view approximately on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view approximately on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure '7 is a sectional View approximately on the line 7-7 of Figure 1.

Before proceeding with the description of the details of construction I desire to state that all of the parts employed are of light material, but extremely strong, so that while the guard or trench will withstand the impact or force thereagainst, the same is sufliciently light in weight as to be easily carried as a part of the equipment of a soldier, and, of course, readily arranged by the soldier in a position for defense when in use.

lVhen in use, the trench is in the position illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, the soldier placing himself in a lying position at the rear of the device, that is, at the left hand side of the construction in the said Figure 1. The trench is of a width and height to protect the head and shoulders of the soldier, and at the same time permitting him to fire his piece above or to the sides of the trench.

As disclosed by the drawings the improvement contemplates the employment of a substantially rectangular frame which is broadly indicated by the numeral 10. The frame is preferably constructed of steel and has at its corners posts 11 that connect together the main members of the frame. These main members, for distinction are indicated by the numeral 12 and are each provided with a central longitudinally disposed plate 13 that is preferably integrally formed with the main members. The' front end of the frame is indicated for distinction by the numeral 141. Secured to the posts 11 at the said front 1 1 of the frame 10 there is a plate 15. This plate is really in the nature of a frame, being provided with a central elongated or enlarged opening. Between the longitudinal parallel walls provided by the said opening there is journaled the offset or angle ends 16 of shafts 17. The shafts are substantially U'shaped in plan, and the angle ends 16 thereof are arranged in parallelism with the main member of the said shafts. On the main member of each of the shafts there is journaled a plurality of anti-frictional rolls 18. These rolls when arranged in the-opening are disposed side by side so that only a comparatively small space is left therebetween. The rolls mounted on the crank shafts provide the front of the trench with what I will term a plurality of gates, and the anti-frictional pivoted members constituting the gates will yield inwardly when subjected to an impact of force, such as a contact of a bullet or other projectile. If

desired the crank shafts for the anti-frictional members that constitute the gate may be spring influenced so that the said antifrictional members will normally close the opening in the front plate 15, and also so that the said members will swing to such closing position after being contacted by a projectile. In addition to this suitable compressible means may be arranged at the pivoted ends of the members constituting the gate to protect the pivots thereof.

The central plates 13 of the members 12 of the frame 10 have bearing openings therethrough which align, and received in one pair of said bearing openings is a pivoted member or shaft 19. This shaft 19 is secured to plates 20, the said plates being connected to substantially V-shaped plates 21. Between the oppositely disposed V-shaped or angle plates are closely arranged rods 22. On each of these rods there is journaled a plurality of anti-frictional rolls 23. The V- shaped plates, at the apex thereof, which is disposed just inward of the gate have straight extensions 24 which, at their outer ends are offset in the same direction as at 25. In openings in the said offset portions 25are j ournaled the cranked ends of a shaft 26. On this shaft is a plurality of superimposed anti-frictional rolls 2?. The V-shapedmember is designed to be contacted by a bullet or other projectile that passes through the gate and to direct the said projectile to a curved deflector which shall presently be described. The anti-frictional elements 27, at the front or apex of the V-shaped or angle director is adapted to prevent a projectile from contacting directly with the front anti-frictional rolls on the said director, and the projectile engaging with the rolls on the sides of the director will readily travel thereover without inflicting injury to the device.

To sustain the angle director member centrally in one position in the frame, resilient means, indicated by the numeral 27 are disposed between the plates 13 and the angle side members of the said director. To the rear of the angle director member, and partly surrounding the same is a curved deflector. The deflector comprises spaced curved plates 28. These plates are preferably slightly greater than a semi-circle, and if desired, and as disclosed by the drawings, the end portions of the plate may be straight but preferably directed slightly outwardly from the center of the deflector. Between the curved plates 28, and connecting the said plates are closely related rods 29. On each of these rods there is journaled a plurality of superimposed anti-frictional rolls 30. At the center of each of the curved plates 28 there is an inwardly extending arm 31. Passing through these arms, secured thereto and finding bearings in the referred to opposed bearing openings in the plates 13, is

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a shaft 32. The arms 31 project a considerable distance inward of the pivoted shaft 32.

Secured to the outer ends of the arms 31 is a bar 35. This bar carries an outwardly projecting slotted bracket 36. Connecting the V-shaped plates of the director are plates 37 disposed rearwardly of the plates that carry the pivoted shaft of the said director. Centrally passing through the plates 37 is a rod 38, and this rod also passes through the slot in the bracket 36. By this arrangement it will be seen that a swinging of the director member, when contacted by a projectile will also cause the swinging of the deflector member, the latter however, being moved in the direction opposite that which the former has been moved. As a consequence one of the sides of the deflector will be disposed angularly with respect to the frame, and in a position to receive the projectile that passes over the director, the said projectile travelling on the anti-frictional rolls of the curved or rounded deflector will be directed thereby to the second side of the director, or the side thereof not contacted by the projectile, and again through the gate of the device. Connected by flexible means 39 to the opposite sides of the rod 38 are anti-frictional rolls 40. These rolls being thus supported by the plates 37 are in the path of contact with the slotted bracket 36 when either the deflector or director members are moved to their extreme angular positions. These rolls will, through their yieldable supporting means effect in returning both the director or deflector to their initial central positions with respect to the frame 10.

On one of the corners of the portable trench may be arranged a bale-like handle whereby the same may be carried or adjusted in various angle positions to best protect the user of the trench, and it is believed that the foregoing description, when taken in connection with the drawings will fully set forth the construction and" advantages of the improvement.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. In a portable trench, a frame having a yieldable front comprising a plurality of gates, a yieldable projectile director member to the rear of the gates, and a yieldable projectile deflector member at the rear of the director member.

2. In a portable trench, a frame having a yieldable front comprising a plurality of gates, a projectile director member pivoted to the rear of the gates, and a curved projectile deflector member pivoted at the rear of the director member.

3. In a portable trench, a frame, crank shafts journaled in the front thereof, antifrictional rolls on said shafts, and said shafts and rolls comprising a gates, a projectile dil rattan rector member pivoted to the rear of the gates, and a projectile deflector member pivoted at the rear of the director member.

4. In a portable trench, a frame having a yieldable front comprising a plurality of gates, an angle projectile director member pivoted to the rear of the gates, and a curved projectile deflector member pivoted at the rear of the director member and receiving the widened end thereof therein.

5. In a portable trench, a frame, crank shafts journaled in the front thereof and disposed in close relation to each other, antifrictional elements on said shafts, and said anti-frictional elements and shafts comprising a plurality of gates, an angle projectile director member pivoted to the rear of the gates and having its apex disposed adjacent to the gates, anti-frictional rolls on the sides of said director member, a curved projectile deflector member pivoted at the rear of the director member and receiving the widened end of the director member therein, and antifrictional members pivotally mounted on said deflector member.

6. In a portable trench, a frame, a yieldable front therefor comprising a plurality of gates, an angle projectile director member pivoted to the rear of the gates and having its pointed end disposed opposite the gates, revoluble anti-frictional members on the sides of the director member, a curved projectile deflector member pivoted at the rear of the director member, revoluble anti-frictional elements carried by the deflector member, said deflector member receiving therein the widened end of the director member, and means between both of said members for causing the swinging of said members in opposite directions when either of the mem bers is swung.

7. In a portable trench, a frame, crank shafts journaled in bearings at the front thereof and disposed in close proximity to each other, anti-frictional rolls journaled on said crank shafts, and said rolls and shafts comprising a plurality of gates, a V-shaped frame pivoted to the rear of the gates, closely disposed rods between the upper and lower members of the frame, anti-frictional rolls journaled on said rods, a curved projectile deflector frame pivoted at the rear of the angle member, closely related rods connecting the upper and lower members of the U-shaped frame, anti-frictional rolls journaled on said rods, and said last mentioned frame receiving therein the widened end of the angle frame.

8. In a portable trench, a frame, crank shafts journaled at the front thereof, antifrictional rolls on said shafts and said rolls and shafts comprising a plurality of gates, an angle projectile director member pivoted to the rear of the gates and havin its apex disposed nearest the gates and provided with an offset portion, anti-frictional rolls jourfor influencing said members at opposite naled on said ofiset portion and on the sides angles when either of said members is swung, 10 of the director member, a curved projectile and yieldable contact elements carried by member pivoted at the rear of the director the members for limiting the swinging member, anti-frictional rolls thereon, said thereof.

deflector member receiving therein the wid- In testimony whereof I affix my signature. ened end of the director member, means between the director and deflector members MARGIL LOPEZ. 

